Lock for platform rockers



July 2, 1957 R. A. BURTON 2,797,737

I LOCK FOR PLATFORM ROCKERS Filed April 8, 1954 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l Robert A;Burfon INVENTOR.

' WWW% July 2, 1957 R. A. BURTON 2,797,737

LOOK FOR PLATFORM ROCKERS Filed April 8, 1954 j Sheets-Sheet 2 E'IIIIIII Robert A. Burfan INVENTOR.

M te t.

This invention relates to improvements in rocking chairs, and more specifically as directed to a device for locking the movable seat frame of aplatform rocker in stationary position in relation to the base of the platform rocker.

An object of this invention is to provide a lock for platform rockers which is simple in construction, easy to attach, easy to operate, positive in action, well adapted for its purposes, and relatively inexpensive 'to manufacture and maintain.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock for platform rockers having a manipulating handle projecting exteriorly to one side of the rocking portion or seat frame of a platform rocker.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lock for platform rockers which limits the pivotal movement of the rocking portion of the platform rockers and also provides a lock for securing the rocking portion of platform rockers in a selected adjusted position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and intwhich:

Figure l is a perspective View showingportions of the platform rocker base and a seat frame thereof with the lock of the present invention installed thereon;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the platform rocker of the present invention with portions thereof being in section for clarity of illustration;

Figure 3 is an end elevation showing the relationship of the elements of the lock of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan sectionvtaken substantially along section line 4--4 of Figure 1 showing the relationship between the sliding lock plate and the notched strap;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the lock for platform rockers of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a detail section taken substantially along section line 6-6 of Figure 5 showing the details of construction of the sliding lock plate guide means; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing another modified form of the lock for platform rockers of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 10 designates the lock as illustrated in Figures 1-4, the numeral 12 indicates the lock as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, and the numeral 14 indicates the look as illustrated in Figure 7. Each of the locks 10, 12 and 14 is for utilization on a platform rocker having a stationary base 18 for positioning on a suitable supporting surface, such as a floor, and a rocking portion, as indicated by the numeral 20 which is generally a seat frame for supporting the upholstered portion and rocking portion of the platform rocker. The base 18 may be provided with an indented upper surface for permitting the rocking portion to pivot to its limits.

- Patented July 2, 1957 Referring now specifically to Figures 1-4, it will be seen that thelock 10 of the present invention includes a and secured thereto in a suitable manner, and includes an elongated tensioned end portion 34 having a hook 36 thereon for engaging the edge of the strap 26 adjacent the forward portion of the base 18. The edge of the strap 26 engaged by the hook end 36 of the spring 32 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches 38 wherein the notches 38 are generally square or polygonal in shape. The other edge of the strap 26 is generally smooth throughout its length, but includes a recessed area forming an abutment 40 adjacent its upper end for a purpose described hereinafter.

A plate member of right angular configuration and generally indicated by the reference numeral 42 is provided with a vertical leg 44 secured to the forward portion of the seat frame 20 by suitable fastening bolts 46 and a horizontal leg 48 integral with the vertical leg 44 thereby forming the right angular plate member 42. The horizontal portion or leg 48 is provided with a closed slot 50 for slidably receiving the upper portion of the elongated rigid strap 26 with the strap 26 and the slot 50 being disposed perpendicularly to the forward portions of the frame 20 and the base 18. An elongated handle member 52 provided with a hand gripping knob 54 positioned exteriorly of the side portion of the frame 20 is provided .with a depending or right angular end portion 56 extending through a closed slot 58 in the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42 and the slot 58 is generally disposed in perpendicular relation to the slot 50. The remote end of theright angular end 56 of the handle 52 is secured to and retains a locking plate 60 which includes a recessed area 62 for permitting sliding movement of the strap 26 in the slot 50 and an enlarged portion 64 for engaging selected notches 38. -It will be seen that the lock plate 60 is positioned under the horizontal leg of the plate member 42 and a compression coil spring 66 surrounds the portion of the right angular end 56 of the handle 52 and abuts the upper surface of the horizontal leg 48 and a cotter pin 68 for frictionally and resiliently engaging the upper surface of the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42 thereby frictionally retaining the lock plate 60 in adjusted position, thereby assuring that the lock plate 60 will'not he accidentally engaged or disengaged from the notches 38.

Referring now specifically to Figure 5, it will be understood that the operation of the bracket 22 and the elongated strap 26 is exactly the same as above and the closed slot 50 in the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42 is disposed in exactly the same manner as above with the only modification being to the locking plate and handle therefor. It will be seen that the locking plate 70 is generally elongated and includes a closed slot 72 having a fastening member 74 extending therethrough and rigidly engaged with the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42 for limiting the sliding movement of the elongated locking plate 70. The locking plate '70 has a handle 76 extending therefrom and projecting through the side of the frame 20 and provided with an operating knob 78 similar to the operating knob 54. A pair of upstruck lugs 80 are provided in the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42, and each of the lugs 89 is bent over and engages the upper surface of the elongated locking plate 70, thereby guiding the movement of the plate 70. It will be seen that the lugs 80 in conjunction with the fastening member 74 limit and guide the movement of the locking plate 70. The end of the locking plate 70 is provided with an angulated end portion 82 which is substantially one corner of the plate 70 cut away for engaging the notches 38 on the elongated strap 26. It will be seen that the plate 70 reciprocates by manipulation of the operating knob 78, thereby engaging the locking plate 70 with selected notches 38 for locking the platform rocker in adjusted position. 7

Referring now specifically to Figure 7, it will be seen that the lock 14 operates in the same manner as above in respect torthe elongated strap 26 and the plate member 42. As illustrated in Figure 7, the juncture between the horizontal leg 48 and the vertical leg 44 of the plate member 42 is provided with an upstanding member 84 for loosely receiving a handle 86 having an upturned end portion mounting an operating handle 88 for movement forwardly and rearwardly in relation to the frame 20. The inner end of the handle 86 is provided with a downturned right angularly extending portion 90 which projects through an arcuate notch 92 in the horizontal leg 48. The lower end of the downwardly extending portion 90 terminates in an offset portion 94 for retaining the downturned portion 90 within the arcuate slot 92. A locking plate 96 is pivotally secured to the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42 by a pivot pin 98 adjacent one corner thereof which is adjacent the upstanding plate 84. The depending portion 90 of the handle 86 extends through the locking plate 96 at a point remote from the pivot pin 98 whereby the locking plate 96 may be pivoted about the pivot pin 98 into and out of engagement with selected notches 38 on the elongated strap 26.

In operation of each of the devices, the elongated strap 26 slides in the closed slot 50 with the spring 32 urging the smooth side or smooth edge of the strap 26 against the outer edge of the slot 50 with the abutment 40 limiting the upward movement of the horizontal plate 48, thereby preventing the strap 26 from becoming disengaged with the plate member 42. In the device of Figures 1-4, the compression coil spring 66 will permit limited movement of the locking plate 60 away from the undersurface of the horizontal leg 48 of the plate member 42, thereby cushioning the locking eflfect of the locking plate 60. Further, the spring 66 assures that the locking plate 60 will not be accidentally engaged with or disengaged from the notches 38, thereby assuring accurate control of the locking device. In the device of Figure 5, the sliding locking plate 70 engages the notches 38 in an obvious manner, and in the device of Figure 7, the pivotal locking plate 96 also engages the notches 38 in a like manner. Obviously, the devices may be constructed of any suitable material well known in devices of this nature,

and the operating knobs may be decorated in any suitable manner, thereby enhancing the appearance of the platform rockers in which the locking device of the present invention is installed.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimedas new is as follows: v

l. A lock for platform rockers having a base and a rocking portion comprising a bracket adapted to be mounted on the forward portion of the base of a platform rocker, an elongated rigid strap pivotally attached to said bracket, a plate member adapted to be secured to the rocking portion of a platform rocker in vertical alignment with said bracket, a closed slot in said plate member slidably receiving said strap, said strap having a plurality of spaced notches in one edge thereof, spring means urging the notched edge of the strap away from one end of the slot, and means movably mounted on said plate member for selectively engaging one of said notches, thereby locking the moving portion of the platform rocker in adjusted position, said movable notch engaging means being provided with a handle extending exteriorly of the platform rocker for manipulating the locking device, said notch engaging means including a lock plate slidably 'mounted on the underside of said plate member, a bandle having a right angular bent portion extending through 'a slot in said plate member and secured to the lock plate,

lock plate is provided with a recessed area in one edge thereof for permitting movement of the notched strap through the slot, and an enlarged portion adjacent the recessed area for movement into engagement with a selective notch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,118,689 Whedon May 24, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 679,324 Great Britain Sept. 17, 1952 

